Ink comprising water soluble triazine dye free from cellulose reactive groups

ABSTRACT

A water-soluble dye, free from cellulose reactive groups, of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R 1  is --(C a  H 2a  O) m  (C b  H 2b  O)  n  H, 
     R 2  is H or --(C a  H 2a  O) m  (C b  H 2b  O) n  H, or 
     R 1  and R 2  together with the nitrogen atom form a morpholine ring 
     a and b are different and from 1 to 8 
     m is from 1 to 10; 
     n is from 0 to 9; 
     q is 1/2 or 1 
     p is 1 or 2 
     L is a transition metal capable of complexing with a dye 
     M is H, ammonium, or a monovalent metal; 
     Q is H or SO 3  M 
     T is H or C 1-4  -alkyl; 
     D is a substituted azo group; 
     B, E and F are H or substituents; 
     X is NR 1  R 2 , NR 3  R 4 , --NR 3  --Z--NR 4  --, OR 3 , or the residue of a mono- or bis-azo chromophore comprising benzene, naphthalene or mono- or bi- cyclic heteroaryl diazo and coupling components, linked to the triazine nucleus through a primary or secondary amine linking group, wherein R 3  &amp; R 4  each independantly are H, alkyl or aryl; and 
     Z is a divalent linking group; a mixture of this dye with an unmetallized orange dye of similar structure and an ink derived from the dye or dye mixture which is suitable for use in printing, especially ink jet printing.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 764,997, filed Aug. 12, 1985,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,758.

This specification describes an invention relating to a water-solublefirst dye, to a mixture of the dye with a second dye, and to an inkcontaining the dye or the mixture which is suitable for use in ink jetprinting.

THE FIRST DYE

According to a first apsect of the present invention there is provided awater-soluble dye, free from cellulose reactive groups, of the formula:##STR2## wherein R¹ is --(C_(a) H_(2a) O)_(m) (C_(b) H_(2b) O)_(n) H,

R² is H or --(C_(a) H_(2a) O)_(m) (C_(b) H_(2b) O)_(n) H, or

R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom form a morpholine ring

a and b are different and from 1 to 8

m is from 1 to 10;

n is from 0 to 9;

q is 1/2 or 1

p is 1 or 2

L is a transition metal capable of complexing with a dye

M is H, ammonium or a monovalent metal;

Q is H or SO₃ M

T is H or C₁₋₄ -alkyl;

D is a substituted azo group;

B, E and F are H or substituents;

X is NR¹ R², NR³ R⁴, --NR³ --Z--NR⁴ --, OR³, or the residue of a mono-or bis-azo chromophore comprising benzene, naphthalene or mono- or bi-cyclic heteroaryl diazo and coupling components, linked to the triazinenucleus through a primary or secondary amine linking group;

Z is a divalent linking group; and

R³ and R⁴ each independantly are H, alkyl or aryl.

If the dye contains more than one --(C_(a) H_(2a) O)_(m) (C_(b) H_(2b)O)_(n) H group these may be the same or different. It is preferred that,in the group NR¹ R², a and b are from 2 to 6 and more preferably 2 or 3,m is 1 or 2 and n is 0 or 1 or that R¹ and R² together with the nitrogenatom form a morpholine ring. Examples of groups represented by R¹ and R²are hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxy-n-propyl, 6-hydroxy-n-hexyl and3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)propyl. It especially preferred that R¹ ishydroxyethyl and R² is H or R¹ and R² are both hydroxyethyl or NR¹ R² ismorpholino.

It is preferred that T is H or methyl.

L represents any suitable complexing transition metal but is preferablychromium, cobalt or copper or mixtures thereof, such as a 70:30 mixtureof chromium and cobalt. Depending on the availability of electronicstates in the metal, one atom of the metal may complex with one or twomolecules of the dye, i.e. q may be 1 or 1/2. In the followingstructures a 1:2 metal:dye complex is indicated by the symbol (L)_(1/2)for the metal portion.

The groups represented by B, E and F on Ring A may be H or any of thoseconventionally present in azo dyes. It is also preferred that D is asubstituted azo group, especially phenylazo or naphthylazo in which thephenyl or naphthyl group is optionally substituted. Examples of theoptional substituents on Ring A, and on the phenyl or naphthyl ring ofthe substituted azo group represented by D, are sulphonate, carboxylate,C₁₋₄ -alkyl, ureido, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, mono- and di-alkylamino,unsubstituted and mono- and di-alkylamino-sulphonyl and carbonyl,phenylamino, C₁₋₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, hydroxy, nitro and halogen,especially chlorine. It is however, preferred that B and F represent Hand that E is selected from aminosulphonyl, C₁₋₄ -alkyl, sulphonate andhalogen. It is also preferred that from 1 to 3 of the substituents onRing A and D are sulphonate. A preferred example of D is2,5-disulphophenylazo.

Where X is NR³ R⁴, R³ is preferably H or C₁₋₄ -alkyl and R⁴ is ispreferably H, C₁₋₄ -alkyl, mono- or bi-cyclic aryl or mono- or bi-cyclicheteroaryl. Where R⁴ is mono- or bi-cyclic aryl, it is preferably aphenyl or naphthyl group carrying at least one sulphonic acid group, SO₃M, and optionally carrying other substituents, such as those exemplifiedabove for Ring A.

Where X is --NR³ --Z--NR⁴ --, R³ and R⁴ are preferably the same andselected from H, C₁₋₄ -alkyl and mono-cyclic aryl, especially phenyl orsubstituted phenyl, suitable substituents being those exemplified for R⁴above, or R³ and R⁴ together with Z and the nitrogen atoms form adivalent heterocyclic radical, such as piperazine. The linking group Zis preferably alkylene, especially C₁₋₆ -alkylene, arylene, especially,phenylene or biphenylene, or aralkylene, especially C₁₋₄-alkylenephen-4-ylene, all of which may substituted by any of thesubstituents exemplified above for Ring A and/or may be interrupted byatoms, such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, which maythemselves be part of groups, e.g. --CH₂ --, --SO₂ -- and --NR³ --.Alternatively the linking group Z may be a divalent chromophoric groupe.g. it may be derived from a mono or bisazo or a stilbene chromophore.Examples of Z are ethylene, hexamethylene, --SO₂ CH₂ -- phen-1,4-ylene,phen-4-ylenesulphonyl, --(CH₂)₂ O(CH₂).sub. 2 --,4-(eth-2-ylene)phenylene, --C₂ H₄ SO₂ C₂ H₄ --, diphen-4,4'-ylene,2,2'-disulphodiphen-4,4'-ylene, diphen-4,4'-ylenemethane,diphen-4,4'-ylene ether and stilben-4,4'-ylene.

Where X is the residue of a mono- or dis-azo chromophore carrying adiazotistable amino group and comprising benzene, naphthalene or mono-or bi-cyclic heteroaryl diazo and coupling components, it is preferablythe residue of a monoazo dye comprising benzene and naphthalene diazocomponents and benzene, naphthalene or monocyclic heteroaryl, such as6-hydroxypyrid-2-ones and pyrazolin-5-ones, coupling components,preferably carrying at least one sulphonic acid group and optionallycarrying other substituents. Examples of other substituents are C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, C₁₋₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, mono- and di-alkylamino,phenylamino, ureido, nitro, halogen, especially chlorine, and hydroxy.The mono or bis-azo chromophore may be metallised provided it containssuitable substituents, such as OH or COOH, in ortho positions withrespect to the azo group.

The amine linking group in X may be of the general formula --NR⁵ -- inwhich R⁵ is H, alkyl, preferably C₁₋₄ -alkyl, or aryl, preferablyphenyl, and it is preferred that R⁵ is H or methyl.

Examples of groups represented by X are hydroxyethylamino,di(hydroxyethyl)amino, morpholino, NH₂, OCH₃, --NH--C₂ H₄ --NH--,3-sulpho-4-nitrophenylimino, 3-sulphophenylimino,3,5-disulphophenylimino, 2-methyl-5-sulphophenylimino,2-sulpho-5-methylphenylimino,5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulphonaphth-2-ylimino and2,2'-disulpho-4,4'-diimino-stilbene.

Water-solubility is enhanced by the presence of acid groups such ascarboxylic acid and sulphonic acid groups and also by groups representedby NR¹ R², especially where R¹ and/or R² are hydroxyethyl or NR¹ R² ismorpholino. It is preferred that the dye carries at least five, and morepreferably at least six, such water-solubilising groups. However,sulphonic acid groups are generally superior to carboxylic acid groupsat confering water-solubility and it is thus preferred that each azochromophore carries at least two, and more preferably at least threesulphonic acid groups. Where the dye contains two azo chromphores itpreferably carries at least five, and more preferably at least six,sulphonic acid groups.

The species M, associated with the sulphonic acid groups, may be anysuitable metal which does not render the dye water-insoluble but ispreferably an alkali metal, such as sodium, potassium or lithium oralternatively ammonium, including substituted ammonium, such as mono-,di, tri- and quaternary alkyl- and substituted-alkyl-ammonium.

Examples of specific dyes of Formula I are:

Dye 1. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², Q, B and F areH, p=1, L is copper, q=1, T and E are CH₃, M is sodium, D is2,5-disulphophenylazo and X is hydroxyethyl-amino.

Dye 2. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², T, B and F areH, E is CH₃, M is potassium, L is copper, Q is SO₃ K, q=1, p=1, D is2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt) and X is5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylimino (K salt).

Dye 3. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², B, F and T areH, p=1, L is copper, q=1, M is sodium, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt) and X is 2-methyl-5-sulphophenylamino(Na salt).

Dye 4. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², B, F, Q and Tare H, E is CH₃, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt), M is potassium, Lis copper, q=1, p=1 and X is5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylamino (K salt).

Dye 5. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², B, F and Q areH, E and T are CH₃, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt), M is potassium,L is copper, q=1, p=1 and X is5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylamino (K salt).

Dye 6. A dye of Formula I wherein X is NR¹ R², R¹ is C₃ H₆ OC₂ H₄ OH,R², B, F and T are H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo(Na salt), M is sodium, L is chromium, q=1/2 and p=1.

Dye 7. A dye of Formula I wherein p=1, X is NR¹ R², each NR¹ R² ismorpholino, B, F and T are H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, q=1/2, L is cobalt,D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt) and M is sodium.

Dye 8. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is 3-hydroxypropyl, R², B, F and Tare H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt), M issodium, L is copper, q=1, p=2 and X is2,2'-disulpho-4-4'-diiminodiphenyl.

Dye 9. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ and R² are hydroxyethyl, B, F and Tare H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt), M issodium, L is copper, q=1, p=2 and X is 1,2-diiminoethane.

Dye 10. A dye of Formula I wherein X is NR¹ R², R¹ is (CH₂)₆ OH, R², B,F and T are H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Nasalt), M is sodium, L is cobalt, q=1/2 and p=1.

Dye 11. A dye of Formula I wherein p=1, X is NR¹ R², each NR¹ R² ismorpholino, B, F and T are H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ K, D is2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt), M is potassium, L is 70/30chromium/cobalt and q=1/2.

Dye 12. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ and R² are hydroxyethyl, B, F andT are H, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt), Mis sodium, L is copper, q=1, p=2 and X is 4,4'-diiminostilbene.

Dye 13. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is3,6,7-trisulphonaphth-2-ylazo (K salt).

Dye 14. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is4-chloro-2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt).

Dye 15. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is4-nitro-2-sulphophenylazo (K salt).

Dye 16. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is2-hydroxy-5-disulphophenylazo (K salt).

Dye 17. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is2-carboxy-4-sulphophenylazo (K salt).

Dye 18. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is2-sulpho-4-methylphenylazo (K salt).

Dye 19. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that D is2-sulpho-4-methoxyphenylazo (K salt).

Dye 20. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that E ischlorine and M is ammonium.

Dye 21. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that E isSO₃ K.

Dye 22. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that E isaminosulphonyl and M is ammonium.

Dye 23. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that E ismethylaminosulphonyl.

Dye 24. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that X isdiethylamino.

Dye 25. A dye of Formula I which is identical to Dye 1 except that X isNH₂ and M is tetra(hydroxyethyl)ammonium.

Dye 26. A dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², Q, T, B and Fare H, E is CH₃, L is copper, q=1, M is sodium, D is2,5-disulphophenylazo, X is 2-methyl-5-sulpho-phenylamino and p=1.

THE MIXTURE OF FIRST AND SECOND DYES

Individual dyes in accordance with Formula I range in shade from deepblue to deep black and dyes with black shades are particularly desirablebecause of the widespread use of black printing inks. The shades ofthose dyes in accordance with Formula I which are not truly black can berendered truly black by admixture with a second dye having a yellow tored shade.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda mixture of a dye of Formula I and a dye of the formula: ##STR3## B¹,D¹, E¹, F¹ and G¹, are H or substituents or B¹ and D¹ form a secondbenzene ring fused to ring A which is optionally substituted, providedthat neither G¹ nor F¹ is hydroxy;

J is selected from: ##STR4## wherein T is H or alkyl;

W is an acyl group;

V is alkyl or alkoxy; and

R¹, R², p, Q, M and X are as defined in Formula I.

Examples of the substituents on Ring A' represented by B¹, D¹, E¹, F¹and G¹, or on the fused ring represented by B¹ and D¹ together, are H,--SO₃ M, NHCOCH₃, --COOM, mono- and di-alkylamino, alkyl, ureido,alkoxy, hydroxy, nitro and halogen, and it is especially preferred thatfrom one to three of these substituents is --SO₃ M. The alkyl radicalsin the groups represented by B¹, D¹, E¹, F¹, G¹, T, V and W in FormulaII are preferably C₁₋₄ -alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl.

The acyl group represented by W is preferably aminocarbonyl orsulphonyl, alkyl- or aryl-carbonyl or sulphonyl, and especially NH₂ CO,C₁₋₄ -alkyl-carbonyl or sulphonyl, such as acetyl, or phenylcarbonyl,such as benzoyl.

Specific examples of preferred dyes of Formula II are:

Dye A. A dye of Formula II in which J is1-hydroxy-3-sulpho-6-imino-naphth-2-yl (Na salt), B' and D' form asecond benzene ring fused to Ring A and carrying an SO₃ Na group in theposition adjacent to the point of attachment of D' to Ring A: E', F' andR² are H, R¹ is hydroxyethyl, p=1, G' is SO₃ Na and X is4,4'-dimino-2,2'-disulphodiphenyl (Na salt).

Dye B. A dye of Formula II in which J is1-hydroxy-3-sulpho-6-imino-naphth-2-yl (Na salt), B', D', E', F' and R²are H, R¹ is hydroxyethyl, p=1, G' is SO₃ Na and X is4,4'-dimino-2,2'-disulphodiphenyl (Na salt).

Dye C. A dye of Formula II wherein J is1-hydroxy-3-sulpho-6-imino-naphth-2-yl (Na salt), X is NR¹ R², B' D' E'F' and R² are H, R¹ is hydroxyethyl, p=1 and G' is SO₃ Na.

The proportions of the two dyes in the mixture will vary according totheir shades and tinctorial strengths. Generally, the bluer the shadeand higher the strength of the dye of Formula I the greater will be theproportion of the dye of Formula II required to render it truly black.The amount of the dye of Formula I is generally higher than that of thedye of Formula II, the proportion of latter preferably varying from 0 to50%, more preferably from 0.5% to 40%, of the total weight of themixture. Specific examples of mixtures of dyes in accordance withFormula I and Formula II are:

Dye 27. A mixture comprising 5 parts of Dye 3 and 3 parts of Dye A.

Dye 28. A mixture comprising 10 parts of Dye 3 and 7 parts of Dye A.

Dye 29. A mixture comprising 5 parts of Dye 3 and 3 parts of Dye B.

PREPARATION OF FIRST AND SECOND DYES p The dye of Formula I may beprepared by reaction of cyanuric chloride with the free amine group of ametallised J acid or sulpho-J acid chromophore and reacting the tworemaining free chlorine atoms on the triazine ring with an amine HNR¹ R²alone, or sequentially with an amine X(NH₂)_(p) and the amine HNR¹ R².The dye of Formula II may be prepared in an analogous manner using thechromophore containing the group represented by J in place of the J acidchromophore.

In all the dyes referred to in this specification it is preferred thatalkyl groups are C₁₋₄ -alkyl and aryl groups are phenyl, naphth-1-yl ornaphth-2-yl.

The invention with respect to the dye is further illustrated by thefollowing examples in which all parts and percentages are by weightunless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1

A dyebase of Formula (A) (35 g, 0.02M) was dissolved in water (350 cm³)at 35°-40° C. ##STR5##

A solution of ethanolamine (12 g, 0.2M) in water (50 cm³) was added andthe mixture held at 35°-40° C. for 12 hours. The temperature was thenraised to 70°-80° C. for 12 hours. The solution was cooled to roomtemperature and sodium chloride added (20%, 80 g). The solid wascollected by filtration, redissolved in distilled water (300 cm³) andthe solution subjected to dialysis in order to remove inorganiccompounds. The resulting solution was evaporated to dryness at 60° C. invacuum and finally dried at 40° C. to yield 12.2 g of Dye 1, i.e. thedyestuff of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R² is H, p=1, L iscopper, q=1, T and E are CH₃, M is sodium, B and F are H, D is2,5-disulphophenylazo and X is hydroxyethylamino.

EXAMPLE 2 Stage 1

A solution was prepared by mixing 25.3 g aniline-2,5-disulphonic acid(0.1M) with 125 g water and sufficient of a 32% aqueous solution ofsodium hydroxide to give a neutral solution. The mixture was thenstirred with 7.25 g sodium nitrite and the resultant solution added to20 g 36% hydrochloric acid and 50 g ice over 10 minutes with suitableagitation. The resultant suspension was held at 15°-20° C. for 15minutes after which 10% sulphamic acid solution was added to removeexcess nitrous acid and 20% sodium carbonate solution to raise the pH to4.0-4.5.

A solution of 13.7 g cresidine (0.1M) in 50 g water and 8.7 g 36%hydrochloric acid (8.7 parts) was prepared at 60° C. The solution wasadded slowly to a mixture of 125 g water, 20 g sodium acetate and 40 gice at <10° C.

The diazo compound prepared above was added to the suspension ofcresidine over 15 minutes at <10° C. The suspension was stirred 18 hoursand the product collected by filtration, washed with saturated sodiumchloride solution and dried at 40° C. to give 85 g of the amino-azo dye2-methoxy-4-(2,5-disulphophenyl)-5-methylaniline, as sodium salt, (0.092moles, yield 92.15%).

Stage 2

A solution of 92.3 g of the amino-azo dye prepared in Stage 1 (0.1M) in250 g water at pH 7.5-8.0 was prepared and 52.5 g 2N sodium nitritesolution (0.105M) was added. The resulting solution was added to 50 g36% hydrochloric acid and 250 g ice over 15 minutes at 0°-5° C. and themixture stirred for 15 minutes after which excess nitrous acid wasremoved by the addition of 10% sulphamic acid.

The solution of the diazotised amino-azo dye was then added, at 15° C.,over 20 minutes to a solution of 35.1 g sulpho-J-acid (0.11M) in 300 gwater. At the same time 170 g of 8% sodium hydroxide solution was addeddropwise to the reaction to maintain the pH value at 7.5-8.5. Thecoupling mixture was stirred 1 hour at 15° C. heated to 80° C.,sufficient salt to give a 15% wt/vol solution added and stirred for afurther 1/2 hour at 70°-80° C. The suspension was filtered hot and theproduct washed with saturated brine (600 ml) and dried. The productcontained 106 g of the disazo dye,1,7-disulpho-2-amino-5-hydroxy-6-(4-[2,5-disulphophenylazo]-5-methyl-phenylazo)-naphthalene,as sodium salt, (0.079 moles, yield=79.8%).

Stage 3

The dye prepared in Stage 2 (40.2 g, 0.03M) was added to a solution ofcopper sulphate (15.6 g CuSO₄.5H₂ O) and diethanolamine (2.46 g) inwater (250 cm³). The mixture was heated to reflux, 100° C., for 18hours, cooled to room temperature and screened to remove insolublematerial. Sodium chloride (20%, 60 g) was added at pH 5.5 and theprecipitated disazo dye collected by filtration, washed with 20% sodiumchloride solution and dried (26.4 g, 0.019M).

Stage 4

To a solution of disazo dye prepared in Stage 3 (0.01M) in 100 g waterat 18°-20° C. was added evenly a solution of 1.85 g cyanuric chloride in30 g acetone with rapid agitation. The pH was maintained at 5-6 by theaddition of 8% sodium hydroxide solution and the reaction was completein 1 hour. The solution was screened and a neutral solution of 2.70 gJ-Acid (0.01M) in 100 g water was added. This solution was warmed to 35°C. over 1 hour and this temperature maintained a further 1 hour. At thesame time a pH value of 6.0-6.5 was maintained by the addition of 8%sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction was tested for completion bythin-layer chromatography.

To the solution was added 6 g ethanolamine and this was then heated to50°-55° C. for 7 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to roomtempertaure and 150 g salt (25% w/v) added to precipitate the dye. Theproduct was collected by filtration and washed with 25% sodium chloridesolution to give a paste containing the dye of Formula I wherein R¹ ishydroxyethyl, R² B and F are H, E is CH₃, M is sodium, L is copper, Q isSO₃ Na, q=1, p=1, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo and X is5-hydroxy-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylamino (Na salt).

Stage 5

A solution of 1.73 g orthanilic acid (0.01M ) in 100 g water at pH 8.0was prepared, using 8% sodium hydroxide solution. To this solution wasadded 5.25 g of 2N sodium nitrite solution and the whole cooled to 0°-5°C. To this was then added 5 g of 36% hydrochloric acid and excessnitrous acid maintained for 30 minutes at 0°-5° C. Excess nitrous acidwas then removed by the addition of 10% sulphamic acid.

A solution containing 0.01M of the dye produced in Stage 4 in 125 gwater was prepared and cooled to 0°-5° C. The diazotised orthanilic acidsolution described above was added over 15 minutes at 0°-5° C. and thepH maintained at 7.5-8.5 by the addition of 20 g 8% sodium hydroxidesolution. The solution was stirred to room temperature and 80 ganhydrous potassium acetate added and dissolved on further agitation.The dye was thus precipitated and collected by filtration, washed with160 g ethanol/water (3:1 v/v) and then 160 g ethanol. After drying at40° C., the solid was redissolved in 115 g distilled water and subjectedto dialysis. The resulting solution, free from inorganic compounds, wasevaporated to dryness at 50°-60° C. in vacuum to yield the dyehereinbefore identified as Dye 2, i.e. the dye of Formula I wherein R¹is hydroxyethyl, R², B and F are H, E is CH₃, M is potassium, L iscopper, Q is SO₃ Na, q=1, p=1, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt) and Xis 5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylamino (K salt).

EXAMPLE 3

The dye of Formula (B) (50 g; 0.025M), prepared by the process describedin Example 4 of UK 1189312, ##STR6## wherein D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo,was dissolved in water (300 g) at room temperature and ethanolamine (15g) added. The solution was heated to 60°-70° C. for 12 hours and cooledto room temperature. Sodium chloride (10%, 35 g) was added and theprecipitated product collected by filtration and washed with 10% sodiumchloride solution. The solid was redissolved in 250 g distilled waterand subjected to dialysis. The resulting solution, free from inorganiccompounds, was evaporated to dryness at 60° C. in vacuum to yield Dye 3identified hereinbefore (24 g; 0.018M), i.e. the dye of Formula Iwherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², B, F and T are H, p=1, L is copper, q=1,M is sodium, E is CH₃, Q is SO₃ Na, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt)and X is 2-methyl-5-sulphophenylamino (Na salt).

EXAMPLE 4 Stage 1

To a solution of the monoazo dye,1-hydroxy-2-(2-sulphophenylazo)-3-sulpho-6-aminonaphthalene (0.1M), inwater (500 g) at pH 7.5 at 2° C. was added a solution of 18.5 g ofcyanuric chloride in acetone (150 g), with rapid agitation. Thetemperature was maintained below 5° C. using ice, and the pH maintainedat 5-6 by the addition of 1M sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction wascomplete after 1.5 hours.

To the suspension so produced was added a solution of J-acid (0.1M) inwater (700 g) at pH 8. The temperature was allowed to rise overapproximately 1 hour to 22° C. and the pH maintained at 6-6.5 by theaddition of 1M sodium hydroxide solution. After a total of 3 hours, thetemperature was raised to 30° C. for 1 hour. Salt (15% w/v) was thenadded and the mixture allowed to cool to room temperature. The productwas filtered off and pressed to give a paste. The paste was re-slurriedin water (700 g) and monoethanolamine (30 g) added. The solution washeated to 55°-60° C. for 4 hours. The solution was cooled to roomtemperature and ethanol (800 g) added followed by potassium acetate (140g). The product was filtered off and washed with ethanol (800 g) toproduce a dye paste.

Stage 2

A solution of the amino-azo dye produced in Stage 1 of Example 2 (0.1M)was diazotised as described in Stage 2 of Example 2 and added slowly toa solution of the dye of formula (F) (0.1M) in water (600 g) at pH and5°-10° C., maintaining the pH at 6-7 by the addition of 8% sodiumhydroxide solution. After 2 hours, the solution was allowed to warm toroom temperature and potassium acetate (320 g) added followed bymethanol (800 g). The product was filtered off and washed with ethanol(800 g).

Stage 3

To the product of the Stage 2 (0.04M) in water (500 g) was added asolution of copper sulphate pentahydrate (20.0 g) and diethanolamine(24.4 g) in water (500 g). The solution thus formed was heated to90°-95° C. for 20 hours. After cooling to room temperature the pH wasadjusted to 4.8 with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the potassiumacetate (200 g) added. Ethanol (500 g) was added and the productfiltered off. The resulting solid was re-dissolved in the minimumquantity of water, at pH 7.5, and subjected to dialysis. The resultingsolution, free from inorganic compounds, was evaporated to dryness at50°-60° C. in vacuum to yield the dye hereinbefore identified as Dye 4i.e. the dye of Formula I wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl; R², B, F, Q and Tare H; E is CH₃ ; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt); M is potassium; Lis copper; q=1; p=1 and X is5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulphonaphth-2-ylamino (K salt).

EXAMPLE 5 Stage 1

To a solution of the dye of Formula (C) prepared as described in Example2 of Swiss Pat. No. 374,132 (50 g, 0.025M) in water (400 g), at 0°-2° C.and pH 5.5, was added a solution of cyanuric chloride (4.7 g) in acetone(40 g), with rapid agitation. ##STR7## The temperature was maintained at0°-2° C. with external cooling and the pH at 5-6 by the addition of 2Msodium hydroxide solution. The reaction was adjudged to be complete when1 equivalent of sodium hydroxide had been consumed. The solution wasfiltered, allowed to warm to room temperature and the pH adjusted to 7.To this solution was added a solution of J-acid (7.1 g) in water (100 g)at pH 7. The temperature was raised to 35°-40° C. and the pH held at 7by the addition of 2M sodium hydroxide solution. After 2 hoursmonoethanolamine (15 g) was added and the temperature raised to 75°-80°C. for 12 hours.

After cooling to room temperature potassium acetate (30% w/v) was addedand a volume of ethanol equal to the volume of the solution. The productwas filtered off and washed with ethanol (1000 g).

Stage 2

To a solution of the product of Stage 1 (47.7 g; 0.0166M) in water (300g) at pH 8-9 and 0°-10° C. was added diazotised orthanilic acid(0.0166M), prepared as in Stage 5 of Example 2. The pH was maintained at8-9 for 12 hours. The solution was allowed to rise in temperature to 20°and potassium acetate (20% w/v) added. Ethanol (150 g) was added and theproduct filtered off. The product was washed with aqueous ethanol (1:1;200 g) and washed dry for 1 hour.

The solid was dissolved in the minimum of water, at pH 7.5, andsubjected to dialysis. The resulting solution, free from inorganicmatter, was evaporated to dryness at 50°-60° C. in vacuum to yield thedye hereinbefore identified as Dye 5, i.e. the dye of Formula I whereinR¹ is hydroxyethyl; R², B, F and Q are H; E and T are CH₃ ; D is2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt); M is potassium; L is copper; q=1; p=1and X is 5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulphonaphtho-2-amino (Ksalt).

EXAMPLE 6 Stage 1

To a solution of chromic chloride hexahydrate (0.0125M) in water (100 g)was added the dye prepared in Stage 2 of Example 2 (0.025M) and themixture refluxed for 18 hours, when tlc showed the reaction to becomplete. After cooling to room temperature, sodium chloride (10% w/v)was added and the product filtered off. The product was washed withsaturated brine (100 g) and pulled dry.

Stage 2

To a solution of the dye, prepared in Stage 1 (0.0025M), in water (300g), at pH 6.2 and 16°-20° C., was added cyanuric chloride (1 g) inacetone (10 g), with vigorous agitation. The pH was maintained at 6-6.5by the addition of 1M sodium hydroxide solution. After 45 minutes2-(3-aminopropoxy)-ethanol (10 g) was added and the temperature raisedto 55°-60° C. After 4 hours the mixture was cooled to room temperatureand saturated with salt. The pH was adjusted to 7 and the productfiltered off. It was washed with saturated brine (50 g) and pulled dry.The resulting solid was dissolved in the minimum of water, at pH 7.5 andsubjected to dialysis. The resulting solution, free from inorganiccompounds, was evaporated to dryness at 50°-60° C. in vacuum to yieldthe dye hereinbefore identifed as Dye 6, i.e. the dye of formula (1) inwhich X is NR¹ R² ; R¹ is C₃ H₆ OC₂ H₄ OH; R², B, F and T are H; E isCH₃ ; Q is SO₃ Na; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); M is sodium; Lis chromium; q=1/2 and p=1.

EXAMPLE 7 Stage 1

To a solution of cobaltous acetate tetrahydrate (0.02M) in water (100 g)and concentrated hydrochloric acid (8 g), was added the dye prepared inStage 2 of Example 2 (0.04M), and the mixture refluxed for 18 hours,when tlc showed the reaction to be complete. Sodium chloride (50 g) wasadded and the mixture cooled to room temperature. The product wasfiltered off and washed with saturated brine (100 g) and then withacetone (200 g).

Stage 2

To a solution of the cobalt complex prepared in Stage 1 (0.0025M) inwater (150 g) at pH 6 and 16°-20° C., was added cyanuric chloride (1 g)in acetone (10 g), with vigorous stirring. The pH was controlled at6-6.5 by the addition of 1M sodium hydroxide solution. After 1 hour thereaction was complete.

Stage 3

To the reaction mixture at the end of Stage 2 was added morpholine (8.7g) and the mixture heated to 55°-60° C. for 4 hours. After cooling toroom temperature the solution was saturated with salt, the pH adjustedto 7, the product filtered off and washed with saturated brine (100 g).The resulting solid was dissolved in the minimum of water and subjectedto dialysis. The resulting solution, free from inorganic matter, wasevaporated to dryness at 50°-60° C. in vacuum to yield the dyehereinbefore identified as Dye 7, i.e. the dye of Formula I in which Xis NR¹ R² ; R¹ and R² together are morpholino; B, F and T are H; E isCH₃ ; Q is SO₃ Na; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); M is sodium; Lis cobalt; q=1/2 and p=1.

EXAMPLE 8 Stage 1

To a solution of the dye formed in Stage 3 of Example 2 (0.02M) in water(400 g) at 18°-20° C. and pH 6.5-7.0 was added a solution of cyanuricchloride (4.0 g) in acetone (50 g), with vigorous agitation. The pH wasmaintained at 6-6.5 by the addition of 1M sodium hydroxide solution, andthe temperature at 16°-20° C. The reaction was adjudged to be completewhen 1 equivalent of sodium hydroxide had been added. The solution wasthen filtered.

Stage 2

To the solution prepared in Stage 1, at pH 7, was added a solution of2,5-disulphobenzidine (0.01M) in water (100 g) at pH 7. The solution wasstirred at 35°-45° C. for 18 hours, maintaining the pH at 6-7 by theaddition of 1M sodium hydroxide solution.

Stage 3

3-Aminopropanol (15 g) in water (100 g) was added to the solutionresulting from Stage 2, and the temperature raised to 60°-70° C. After 8hours the solution was cooled to room temperature and the pH adjusted to7.0. Sodium chloride (10% w/v) was added and the product filtered off.The product was washed with brine solution (20% w/v; 400 ml) and suckeddry.

Stage 4

The resulting product was dissolved in the minimum of water, at pH 7.5and subjected to dialysis. The resulting solution, free from inorganiccompounds, was evaporated to dryness at 50°-60° C. in vacuum to yieldthe dye hereinbefore identified as Dye 8, i.e. the dye of formula (1)wherein R¹ is hydroxypropyl; R², B, F and T are H; E is CH₃ ; Q is SO₃Na; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); M is sodium; L is copper; q=1;p=2 and X is 2,2'-disulpho-4,4'-diiminodiphenyl.

EXAMPLE 9

The procedure of Example 8 was repeated except that, in Stage 2,1,2-diaminoethane (0.01M9 was substituted for 2,2' -disulphobenzidineand, in Stage 3, diethanolamine (21 g) was substituted for3-aminopropanol and 25% (w/v) of sodium chloride was used to precipitatethe product instead of 10% (w/v). The product was the dye hereinbeforeidentified as Dye 9, i.e. the dye of Formula I in which R¹ and R² arehydroxyethyl; B, F and T are H; E is CH₃ ; Q is SO₃ Na; D is2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); M is sodium; L is copper; q=1; p=2 andX is 1,2-diiminoethane.

EXAMPLE 10

The procedure of Example 7 was repeated except that, in Stage 2,6-aminohexanol (20.4 g) was substituted for morpholine, to produce thedye hereinbefore identified as Dye 10, i.e. the dye of Formula I inwhich X is NR¹ R² ; R¹ is (CH₂)₆ OH; R², B, F and T are H; E is CH₃ ; Qis SO₃ Na; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); M is sodium; L iscobalt; q=1/2 and p=1.

EXAMPLE 11

A physical mixture of 5 parts of Dye 3, as described in Example 3, and 3parts of Dye A was prepared by combining the two dyes and thoroughlymixing them together. The mixture gives a true black shade when appliedto paper.

Dye A

The dye of Formula (D) (57 g; 0.02M), prepared by the process describedin Example 65 of UK No. 1283771 was dissolved in water (500 g) at 50° C.##STR8## A solution of ethanolamine (12 g) in water (15 g) was added andthe mixture heated to 60°-70° C. for 12 hours. The reaction mixture wascooled slowly to room temperature and the precipitate collected byfiltration and washed with 20% sodium chloride solution. The solid wasreslurried in water (115 g) and the pH value adjusted to 7.5 with 36%hydrochloric acid solution. The solid was then collected and washed with20% sodium chloride solution and redissolved in water (170 g). Thesolution was subjected to dialysis in order to remove inorganiccompounds and finally evaporated to dryness at 50°-60° C. in vacuum toyield Dye A as hereinbefore defined (25 g; 0.125M).

The Ink

The dye of Formula I and a mixture thereof with a dye of Formula II areadapted for use in an ink, particularly a writing or printing ink basedupon water and/or a water-miscible organic solvent, such as an alkanolor glycol, and especially an ink suitable for ink-jet printing whereinthe ink is ejected from an orifice of a recording head in the form ofliquid droplets.

For recording on paper or the like with writing tools, such as afountain pen, felt pen, etc, it is conventional to use an ink which is asolution of a dye in water or a water miscible organic solvent and anink of similar composition can also be used in ink-jet printing.

In ink-jet printing, droplets of ink are generated in various ways anddeposited on a substrate to effect a record. Suitable inks comprise, asessential components, a recording agent, usually a dye or a pigment, aliquid vehicle, such as water, an organic solvent or mixtures thereof,and, as optional components, various other additives.

Ink-jet printing may be classified into various systems depending on themethod for generation of ink droplets and the method for controlling theflight direction of ink droplets. An example of a device in accordancewith one system is shown in FIG. 1.

The device shown in FIG. 1 operates by providing a printing signal atthe print head section having a piezoelectric oscillator and generatingink droplets corresponding to said signal. In FIG. 1, a print head 1,comprises a piezo-oscillator 2, an inlet line 3 for ink, a liquidchamber 4, and an outlet line 5 leading to a nozzle 6 directed at asubstrate 12. Ink 7 is introduced into the liquid chamber 4, throughinlet 3 and fills the chamber 4 and the outlet line up to the nozzle 6.A pulsed electrical signal derived from a pattern information signal issupplied to the piezo-electric oscillator 2 which transforms the pulsedelectrical signal into pressure pulses and applies these to the ink 7 inthe liquid chamber 4. As a result, the ink 7 is discharged as droplets11 through the nozzle 6 thereby to effect recording on the surface ofthe substrate 12.

An example of another type of device using the same system is shown inFIG. 2, in which a tubular liquid chamber 4 links the inlet and outletlines 3, 5 and a cylindrical piezoelectric oscillator 2 is arrangedaround the outer peripheral portion of the chamber 4. The mechanism forgeneration of ink droplets is essentially the same as in the device asshown in FIG. 1.

In another system, charged droplets are continuously generated but onlya proportion of the droplets are selected for recording.

In yet another system, heat energy corresponding to the patterninformation signal is imparted to the ink in the chamber of print head,and liquid droplets are formed by said energy. An embodiment of such adevice is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view alongthe length of a tube 14 in a print head 13 and FIG. 4 is across-sectional view taken on the line A--B in FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 a print head 13, for heat sensitive recording by thedeposit of droplets 24 of ink 21 on a substrate 25, comprises athin-walled tube 14 terminating at a nozzle 12 carrying a heat generator15. The heat generator 15 comprises a pair of spaced aluminiumelectrodes 16, 17, defining a gap occupied by a nichrome hearingresistor 18 the ends of the electrodes 16, 17 and the resistor 18 beingencased in a layer of insulant 19 and a protective envelope 20.

In operation an ink 21 is fed into the right hand end of the tube 14under slight pressure and forms a meniscus at the nozzle 12.

The application of a pulsed electric signal, derived from a patterninformation signal, across the electrodes 16, 17, generates pulses ofheat in the resistor 18 which are transferred across the wall of thetube and cause the formation of bubbles in the ink 21 adjacent to theresistor 18. The excess pressure developed by the bubbles causesdischarge of the ink 21 from the nozzle 12 in the form of small droplets24, each droplet corresponding to a separate electric pulse, directed atthe substrate 25.

As ink-jet printing generates little noise and allows high speedmulti-colour operation without the need for special dye fixationtreatments, a number of different ink-jet printing systems are currentlybeing intensively investigated.

An ink for any of various types of ink-jet printing systems needs tomeet the following criteria:

(1) Physical properties of the ink, such as viscosity and surfacetension, are each within a defined range.

(2) All solutes have good solubility in the ink medium to give solutionshaving good stability which do not plug the fine ejecting orifices(hereinafter referred to as "solution stability").

(3) The recording agent gives images of sufficient optical density.

(4) The ink does not change in physical properties or deposit solidmatter during storage.

(5) Printing can be performed without a restriction on the nature ofsubstrate on which a record is made.

(6) The ink exhibits a high rate of fixation.

(7) The ink gives images of good resolution and having good resistanceto water, solvent (particularly alcohol), light, weather and abrasion.

However, images produced by conventional inks particularly bywater-based inks, tend to form blots, dislocations or scratches, or tofade by water adhesion, mechanical friction, or exposure to light and anink free from these drawbacks is an urgent requirement.

In addition to the above criteria, an ink for use in an ink jet printingprocess using heat energy, must also have excellent heat stability. Theink, if thermally unstable, is liable to undergo chemical change becauseit is exposed to a high temperature during repetition of the generationand extinction of bubbles by heating, with the result that insolublematter forms and deposits on the wall of the heating zone of therecording head, which, in turn, renders the recording head to beeventually incapable of discharging the liquid therethrough.Accordingly, the thermal stability of the ink is very important forcontinuous high-speed recording over a long period of time.

Although a number of inks have been proposed to overcome these problems,none have been produced which meet all the foregoing requirements.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided aink comprising a dye of Formula I or a mixture of a dye of Formula I anda dye of Formula II.

It is possible, by use of a dye of Formula I, or a mixture of a dye ofFormula I and a dye of Formula II, to obtain an ink having an improvedsolution stability, particularly during prolonged storage inconcentrated form, and excellent recording properties, particularlyejection stability, ejection responsiveness, and continuous recordingworkability.

The present ink is of practical importance and gives images having goodwater resistance, alcohol resistance and light resistance.

The present ink preferably comprises a dye of Formula I, or a mixture ofdyes of Formulae I and II, and a liquid medium, such as water, anorganic solvent or a mixture thereof. The dyes of Formula I and FormulaII have especially good solution stability in the above-mentioned liquidmedia, thereby improving the ejection stability of the ink and reducingthe incidence of plugging of the ejecting orifice even after a longperiod of storage in the recording apparatus.

The amount of dye in the ink is determined in accordance with thedesired optical density of the image, the type of recording device to beused, other components to be added, the required physical properties ofink, etc. But generally speaking, a suitable dye content is in the rangeof 0.5-20%, preferably 0.5-15%, and especially 1-10%, by weight based onthe total weight of the ink.

The present ink can contain, besides the dye of Formula I or Formulae Iand II, other dyes selected from various types of known dyes such asdirect dyes, acid dyes and the like, but preferably contains only a dyeof Formula I or dyes having similar performance characteristics in inkjet printing, especially a dye of Formula II.

Liquid media used for preparing the present ink include water andmixtures of water with various water-soluble organic solvents. Thewater-soluble organic solvents include C₁ -C₄ alkanols such as methanol,ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol,isobutanol; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide;ketones or ketone alcohols such as acetone and diacetone alcohol; etherssuch as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; nitrogen-containing heterocyclicketones such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone; polyalkylene glycols such aspolyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, especially those ofmolecular weight up to 500; alkylene glycols and thioglycols containingC₂ -C₆ -alkylene groups such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol anddiethylene glycol; other polyols such as glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol,triethanolamine; and lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as2-methoxyethanol, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanoland 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol,2-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-ethanol.

Preferred water-soluble organic solvents among these are glycols andglycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethyleneglycol and 2-methoxy-2-ethoxy-2-ethoxyethanol; polyethylene glycols withmolecular weights up to 500; and heterocyclic ketones such asN-methylpyrrolidone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidione. Preferredspecific solvent mixtures are a binary mixture of water and diethyleneglycol and a tertiary mixture of water, diethylene glycol andN-methyl-pyrrolidone.

The present ink preferably contains in from 5-95%, preferably 10-80%,and especially 20-50%, by weight of the water soluble organic solventbased on the total weight of the ink.

Examples of specific inks in accordance with the second aspect of thepresent invention are:

    ______________________________________                                               Dye      Liquid medium and other                                       Ink    (parts)  components (parts)                                            ______________________________________                                        1      1 (3)    Water (67)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (0.1)                                1a     1 (3)    Water (57)                                                                    Ethyl alcohol (10)                                                            Glycerol (30)                                                                 Sodium dehydroacetate (0.1)                                   2      2 (5)    Water (60)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (20)                                                        1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (15)                           2a     2 (6)    Water (49)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (20)                                                        N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                                  Polyethylene glycol (MW 200) (10)                             3      3 (3)    Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                  4      4 (3)    Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                  5      5 (5)    Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  6      6 (3)    Water (62)                                                                    Ethylene glycol (39)                                                          1,2,6-Hexanetriol (5)                                         7      7 (4)    Water (61)                                                                    Glycerol (25)                                                                 Triethanolamine (10)                                          8      8 (5)    Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  9      9 (4)    Water (63)                                                                    Ethylene glycol (30)                                                          Polyethylene glycol (MW 200) (3)                              10     10 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  11     11 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  12     12 (3)   Water (60)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (20)                                                        1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (15)                           13     13 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  14     14 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  15     15 (3)   Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (20)                                                        N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                                  Polyethylene glycol (MW 200) (10)                             16     16 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  17     17 (4)   Water (56)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        2-Methoxy-2-ethoxy-2-ethoxyethanol (10)                       18     18 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  19     19 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                  20     20 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  21     21 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  22     22 (3)   Water (62)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        Polyethylene glycol (MW 200) (5)                              23     23 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  24     24 (5)   Water (50)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (25)                                                        N--Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (20)                                  25     25 (4)   Water (61)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5)                                   26     26 (3)   Water (72)                                                                    Propylene glycol (20)                                                         Dimethylformamide (5)                                         29     29 (2)   Water (68)                                                                    2-Methoxy-2-ethoxy-2-ethoxyethanol (30)                                       Polyoxyethylated 4-nonylphenol (0.1)                          ______________________________________                                    

The present ink, prepared from the components mentioned above, isgenerally characterised by excellent and balanced recording performancecharacteristics i.e. signal responsiveness, stability for producingdroplets, ejection stability, long-term continuous recordingworkability, and ejection stability after a long rest. It also generallyexhibits good preservation stability, solution stability, fixation onthe recording substrate and resistance of the recorded image to water,alcohol, light and weather. However, miscellaneous known additives mayalso be incorporated into the present ink for further improvement ofthese characteristics. Examples of suitable additives are viscositymodifiers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), cellulose derivatives, and otherwater-soluble resins; various kinds of surfactants, i.e. cationic,anionic, and nonionic; surface tension modifiers, such as diethanolamineand triethanolamine; and pH conditioner, such as buffers.

Inks for use in ink-jet recording of the type based on the applicationof a charge to the ink droplets usually contain an inorganic salt, suchas lithium chloride, ammonium chloride or sodium chloride as aresistivity modifier. Urea or thiourea may also be added to improve thewater-retentivity of the ink at the tip of the ejecting orifice. Whenthe present ink is used for ink-jet recording of the type based on theaction of thermal energy, the thermal properties, e.g. specific heat,coefficient of thermal expansion, and heat conductivity, of the ink maybe modified by suitable additives.

If the present ink is to be applied by means of a writing tool, e.g. apen, it may be necessary to modify the viscosity and the other physicalproperties in relation to the affinity of the ink for the recordingsubstrate.

The present invention represents a significant step towards satisfyingall the requirements stated above, that is to say, to providing an inkwhich does not plug capillary tubes or ejecting orifices, does notresult in deterioration or formulation of precipitate during storage, isexcellent in recording workability, particularly ejection ability andejection responsiveness; and gives such good quality images as to beexcellent in colour density, shade, and contrast and have goodresistance to water, solvent, light weather, and abrasion and excellentfixing properties.

Furthermore, certain preferred classes of the present inks areparticularly suitable for use in an ink jet recording process utilisingthermal energy because of their good long term heat stability.

The present invention with respect to the ink is further illustrated bythe following Examples in which all parts and percentages are by weightunless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 12

Six inks were prepared in accordance with the following recipe, usingthe Dyes 1 to 5 and 27 as described above:

    ______________________________________                                        Dye               5 parts                                                     Diethylene glycol                                                                              35 parts                                                     Deionised water  60 parts                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The above-mentioned inks were prepared by thorough mixing of theingredients, filtering the solution under pressure through a Teflonfilter (pore size: 1 micron) and degassing the filtered ink, in vacuo.For each of the inks the following five characteristics, T₁ -T₅, weremeasured using a recording apparatus having an on-demand type ofrecording head (50 micron-diameter ejecting orifice, piezo-oscillatordriving voltage 60 V, frequency 4 KHz). Each ink gave good results ineach test.

T₁ --Prolonged Storage Stability

Each ink was sealed separately in a glass container and stored at -30°C. and at 60° C. for 6 months. In each case there was no appreciableseparation of any insoluble matter or any change in physical propertiesand colour.

T₂ --Ejection Stability

Each ink was subjected to continuous recording tests at roomtemperature, 5° C., and 40° C. for 24 hours. Each ink gave high qualityimages constantly throughout the test period at each temperature.

T₃ --Ejection Responsiveness

Each ink was subjected to intermittent ejection at two-second intervalsand ejection after standing for two months and each ink showed stableuniform recording without causing plugging of the orifice.

T₄ --Quality of Recorded Image

Images recorded on the following three types of recording paper were ofhigh optical density and sharp and clear in all cases. Each image, afterexposure to ambient light in a room for three months, showed a reductionin optical density not greater than 1%. Results of immersing therecorded papers in water for one minute showed a very little blotting ofthe images.

    ______________________________________                                        Paper             Supplier                                                    ______________________________________                                        IJ recording paper type S                                                                       Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd.                                 IJ recording paper type M                                                                       Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd.                                 IJ recording paper type L                                                                       Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd.                                 ______________________________________                                    

T₅ --Fixing Properties of Recording Member

Images recorded on the above-mentioned three types of recording paperwere rubbed with a finger 15 seconds after recording, and withoutforming any smudges or blots, indicating the excellent fixationproperties of the images.

EXAMPLE 13

An element for transforming electric energy into thermal energy wasprepared on an alumina substrate as follows.

A SiO₂ (lower) layer 5 microns thick was formed over the aluminasubstrate by sputtering and a 1000 A HfB₂ layer, as a heat generatingresistor layer, and a 3000 A aluminum layer, as an electrode, weresuccessively laid thereover. A heat generating resistor pattern havingsize of 50×200 microns was formed by selective etching of the aluminumlayer. A SiO₂ layer 3500 A thick, as a protective (upper) layer, wasthen laid thereover. A print head was formed by bonding a glass plate onwhich grooves 50 microns wide and 50 microns deep had been engraved ontothe SiO₂ protective layer in register with the etched pattern on theheat generating resistor. The tip surface of orifice was then polishedso that the distance between the tip of heat generating resistor and thetip surface of orifice was 250 microns.

The print head was operated by applying printing signals of 40 V×10⁻⁵sec rectangular voltage pulses at a cycle of 2×10⁻⁴ sec. The print headoperated normally and without blockage for 160 hours using an ink havingthe following composition:

    ______________________________________                                        Dye 5 (decomp'n temp: 280° C.)                                                               5 parts                                                 Diethylene glycol    25 parts                                                 N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone                                                                            20 parts                                                 Water                50 parts                                                 ______________________________________                                    

In a comparative test the print head operated satisfactorily for only 10hours, under the same conditions as above, using an ink having the samecomposition as the above ink except for the replacement of Dye 5 with adye of the formula: ##STR9## wherein X is4-(1,5-disulpho-naphth-3-ylazo)-phenylamino.

EXAMPLE 14

The print head was operated similarly to Example 13 using inks havingthe composition set out in Example 13, except for the replacement of Dye5 by the dyes listed in Table 1, by applying printing signals of 50V×10⁻⁵ sec rectangular voltage pulses at a cycle of 2×10⁻⁴ sec. Theresulting satisfactory operating periods are shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Composition of ink                                                                             Satisfactory                                                             Content  Operating Period                                         Dye         (wt %)   (hours)                                                  ______________________________________                                        1           5        150                                                      1           6        120                                                      2           5        180                                                      3           5        180                                                      4           5        120                                                      27          6        190                                                      28          5        140                                                      29          7        120                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 15-20

Inks having the compositions defined in Table 2 were prepared and testedfor properties T₁ -T₅, in the same manner as in Example 12.

The results indicated that all these inks have good characteristics, andparticularly excellent recording performance, fixation properties andsharpness of image.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                                Dye     Liquid medium and other                                       Example (parts) components (parts)                                            ______________________________________                                        15      1 (3)   Water (67)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (0.1)                                16      5 (3)   Water (62)                                                                    Ethylene glycol (39)                                                          1,2,6-Hexanetriol (5)                                         17      5 (2)   Water (68)                                                                    2-Methoxy-2-ethoxy-2-ethoxyethanol (30)                                       Polyoxyethylated 4-nonylphenol (0.1)                          18      1 (3)   Water (57)                                                                    Ethyl alcohol (10)                                                            Glycerol (30)                                                                 Sodium dehydroacetate (0.1)                                   19      3 (3)   Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                  20      4 (3)   Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--methyl-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                  21      27 (3)  Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--Methyle-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                 22      28 (3)  Water (52)                                                                    Diethylene glycol (30)                                                        N--Methyle-2-pyrrolidone (15)                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 23

Each of the inks prepared in Examples 12 and 15 to 21 was chargedseparately into a commercial fountain pen and a record was made on plainpaper. Each record showed no blotting of image and a high rate ofabsorption of the ink.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ink comprising a liquid medium and a watersoluble dye present in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 20% by weight, freefrom cellulose reactive groups, of the formula: ##STR10## wherein R¹ is--(C_(a) H_(2a) O)_(m) (C_(b) H_(2b) O)_(n) H,R² is H or --(C_(a) H_(2a)O)_(m) (C_(b) H_(2b) O)_(n) H, or R¹ and R² together with the nitrogenatom form a morpholine ring, a and b are different and are from 2 to 8,m is from 1 to 10, n is from 0 to 9, g is 1/2 or 1, p is 1 or 2, L ischromium, cobalt, copper or a mixture thereof, M is H, ammonium, sodium,potassium or lithium, Q is H or SO₃ M, T is H or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, D is aphenylazo or naphthylazo group each of which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by a group selected from sulphonate; carboxylate; C₁₋₄-alkyl; C₁₋₄ -alkoxy; ureido; mono- and di-C₁₋₄ -alkylaminoaminosulphonyl; mono- and di-C₁₋₄ -alkylaminosulphonyl; aminocarbonyl;mono- or di-C₁₋₄ -alkylaminocarbonyl; phenylamino; C₁₋₄-alkylcarbonylamino; hydroxy, nitro and halogen, E is H, C₁₋₄ -alkyl,halogen and aminosulphonyl, B and F are H, provided that: when p=1 X isselected from (i) NR¹ R² ; (ii) NR³ R⁴ ; (iii) OR³ ; and (iv) a monoazochromophore, derived from a benzene or naphthalene diazo component and abenzene, naphthalene or mono-heterocyclic coupling component and linkedto the triazine group through a group --NR⁵ -- in which R⁵ is selectedfrom H, C₁₋₄ -alkyl and phenyl; and R³ and R⁴ are each independentlyselected from H, C₁₋₄ -alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl and phenyl or naphthylsubstituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ -alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, C₁₋₄-alkyl-carbonylamino, ureido, mono- and di-C₁₋₄ -alkylamino, nitro,phenylamino, halogen, carboxylate, sulphonate, hydroxy and unsubstitutedand mono- and di-alkylamino-sulphonyl and carbonyl; and when p=2 X is--NR³ --Z--NR³ --; and Z is selected from C₁₋₆ -alkylene; phenylene;biphenylene; C₁₋₄ -alkylenephen-4-ylene; C₁₋₆ -alkylene, phenylene,biphenylene or C₁₋₄ -alkylenephen-4-ylene interrupted by a groupselected from CH₂, O, S, NR³ and SO₂ ; and C₁₋₆ -alkylene; phenylene,biphenylene; C₁₋₄ -alkylenephen-4-ylene interrupted by a group selectedfrom CH₂, O, S, NR³ and SO₂ and substituted by a group selected fromC₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl-carbonylamino, ureido, mono- anddi-C₁₋₄ -alkylamino, nitro, phenylamino, halogen, carboxylate,sulphonate, hydroxy NH₂ SO₂ --, NH₂ CO-- and mono- anddi-alkylaminosulphonyl and carbonyl.
 2. An ink according to claim 1wherein NR¹ R² is selected from hydroxyethyamino, di(hydroxyethyl)aminoand morpholino.
 3. An ink according to claim 1 wherein R¹ ishydroxyethyl; R², B, F and T are H; Q is SO₃ Na; p=1; L is copper; q=1;E is CH₃ ; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); X is2-methyl-5-sulphophenylamino (Na salt) and M is Na.
 4. An ink accordingto claim 1 wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl, R², T, B and F are H, E is CH₃, Mis K, L is copper, Q is SO₃ K, q=1, p=1, D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (Ksalt) and X is5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenyl-azo)-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylimino (K salt). 5.An ink according to claim 1 wherein R¹ is hydroxyethyl; R², B, F, Q andT are H; E is CH₃ ; D is 2,5-disulphophenylazo (K salt); M is K; L iscopper; q=1; p=1 and X is5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenyl-azo)-7-sulpho-naphth-2-ylamino (K salt). 6.An ink comprising a dye according to claim 1 suitable for a recordingsystem of the type in which the ink is ejected from a small orifice inthe form of a droplet directed towards a recording substrate on which animage is to be formed.
 7. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the dye isdissolved in water or in water and a water-soluble organic solvent. 8.An ink according to claim 7 wherein the water soluble solvent is apolyhydric alcohol.
 9. An ink according to claim 1 wherein X is NR³ R⁴or OR³ and R³ is H or C₁₋₄ -alkyl and R⁴ is selected from H, C₁₋₄ -alkyland phenyl or naphthyl carrying a sulphonic acid group, SO₃ M, or phenylor naphthyl carrying a sulphonic acid group and a group selected fromC₁₋₄ -alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy, C₁₋₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, ureido, mono- anddi-C₁₋₄ -alkylamino, phenylamino, nitro, halogen, carboxylate,sulphonate and hydroxy.
 10. An ink according to claim 9 wherein X isselected from NH₂, OCH₃, 3-sulpho-4-nitrophenylimino,3,5-disulphophenylimino, 2-methyl-5-sulphophenylimino,3-sulphophenylimino and 2-sulpho-5-methylphenylimino.
 11. An inkaccording to claim 1 wherein X is a monoazo chromophore linked to thetriazine group through a group --NR⁵ --, in which the chromophore isselected from phenylazobenzene, phenylazo-naphthalene,naphthylazobenzene, naphthylazonaphthalene carrying two or threesulphonic acid groups and phenylazobenzene, phenylazo-naphthalene,naphthylazobenzene, naphthylazonaphthalene carrying two or threesulphonic acid groups and a group selected from C₁₋₄ -alkyl, nitro, C₁₋₄-alkoxy, C₁₋₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, ureido, halogen, hydroxy, mono- anddi-C₁₋₄ -alkylamino and phenylamino.
 12. An ink according to claim 11wherein X is selected from5-hydroxy-6-(2-sulphophenylazo)-7-sulphonaphth-2-ylimino.
 13. An inkaccording to claim 1 wherein Z is selected from ethylene, hexamethylene,--SO₂ CH₂ --, --(CH₂)₂ O(CH₂)₂ --, --C₂ H₄ SO₂ C₂ H₄ --,2,2'-disulpho-4,4'-diiminostilben-4,4'-ylene, stilben-4,4'-ylene,4-(eth-2-ylene)phenylene, phen-1,4-ylene, phen-1,4-ylenesulphonyl,2,2'-disulphodiphen-4,4'-ylene, diphen-4,4'-ylene, diphen-4,4'-yleneether and di(phen-4,4'-ylene)methane.
 14. An ink according to claim 1wherein X is selected from hydroxyethylamino, di(hydroxyethyl)amino andmorpholino.
 15. An ink according to claim 1 carrying 5 or 6 sulphonicacid groups.
 16. An ink comprising a mixture of the dye according toclaim 1 and a dye of the formula: ##STR11## wherein R¹, R², p, Q, M andX are as defined in claim 1; B¹ ; D¹, E¹, F¹ and G¹, are selected fromH; --SO₃ M; NHCOCH₃ ; --COOM; mono- and di-C₁₋₄ -alkylamino; C₁₋₄-alkyl; C₁₋₄ -alkoxy; ureido; hydroxy; nitro and halogen or B¹ and D¹form a second benzene ring fused to ring A which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by a group selected from H; --SO₃ M; NHCOCH₃ ; --COOM; mono-and di-C₁₋₄ -alkylamino; C₁₋₄ -alkyl; C₁₋₄ -alkoxy; ureido; hydroxy;nitro and halogen, provided that neither F¹ or G¹ is hydroxy; andJ isselected from: ##STR12## wherein T is H, alkyl or phenyl; W is an acylgroup selected from the group consisting of aminocarbonyl,aminosulphonyl, C₁₋₄ -alkylcarbonyl, C₁₋₄ -alkylsulphonyl,phenylcarbonyl and phenylsulphonyl; and V is alkyl or alkoxy.
 17. An inkmixture according to claim 16 wherein:R¹ is hydroxyethyl; R², B, F and Tare H; Q is SO₃ Na; p=1; L is copper; q=1; E is CH₃ ; D is2,5-disulphophenylazo (Na salt); X is 2-methyl-5-sulphophenylamino (Nasalt) and M is Na; and J is 1-hydroxy-3-sulpho-6-imino-naphth-2-yl (Nasalt); B¹ and D¹ form a second benzene ring fused to Ring A' andcarrying an SO₃ Na group in the position adjacent to the point where D¹is attached to Ring A; E¹, F¹ and R² are H; R¹ is hydroxyethyl; p=1; Xis 4,4'-dimino-2,2'-disulphodiphenyl (Na salt) and G¹ is SO₃ Na.